Make.Write.​Impact.

It's simple to get involved! Make a hat, write a letter and ship it to us. We'll get it into the hands of a patient in need of encouragement.

Donation Guidelines

Items are donated for free to treatment centers to patients fighting serious illnesses including cancers. Because of the severity of these sicknesses, we ask that you take the following precautions when donating to 818 Ministries:

Items must be new

Cleanliness is vital (free of perfume, pet hair and smoke)

Placed individually in clear, resealable plastic bags

Handwritten letter of encouragement inside the item in an unsealed envelope (i.e. - inside a crocheted beanie). You do not have to write a letter of encouragement in order to donate - we have other volunteers that serve in this capacity and we can package your hat with a letter already written if needed.

Soft yarn/fabric is best. Cotton, acrylic, silk, fleece or a blend are great options. Wool and alpaca blends can irritate the scalp. Keep in mind many of the patients that receive a gift from 818 Ministries may be undergoing hair loss which can easily cause an irritated scalp area.

We accept knitted, crocheted or sewn hats for all ages (baby, children, youth and adult)

Please avoid hats with large holes. A tighter stitch (by using a smaller needle) is typically better because it covers the scalp.

Wash/sanitize your hands on a regular basis while making items for 818 Ministries.

Crochet needles (yarn and crochet needles are a huge need for teaching our community how to crochet/knit at events.

CUrrent Needs

Prayers. We would not be where we are or have the opportunities we have been given without our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. HE is the reason for what we do and why we are so passionate about giving back to those with serious illnesses. One of the best ways to support us is by joining us in prayer for our ministry's growth.

If you feel led to partner with us financially, you may do so by donating to our YouCaring site by clicking here.

Start an Impact Club (a group who meets on a regular basis to knit, crochet or sew hats and write letters) or become a member of the Impact Squad (the crew who goes out and gets our hat + letter packets into the hands of patients who need them).

Yarn. And lots of it! We teach classes in our community on how to make hats of all sizes, so yarn and crochet needles are always a huge need. Contact us for more info.

Host your own 818 event and learn how to make hats/write letters. We would love to come teach you. Click on the Events button below to see when we are having events or to contact us to plan a service night of your own (with your Bible study, women's ministry, small group).

Partner with us. Donate with your Bible study. Spread the word. Help us lift the spirits of patients who feel they have no hope. It is our heartbeat, our passion and our mission. To encourage others to live victoriously in Christ. See an example below.

Crochet Pattern

Simple Crochet Beanie Pattern

NOTE: Hat sizes may vary depending on yarn thickness and hook size. Rounds 8-12 may not be necessary if you desire to do a child sized hat. As you crochet, try hat on your own head to determine snug fit and suitable length to cover ears. Rounds are worked continuously.

Round 1: Chain 2, 6 single crochet in 2nd chain from hook.Round 2: Single crochet in first stitch, 2 single crochet in each stitch around (11 stitches)Round 3: *(2 single crochet in each stitch), rep from * around (22 stitches)Round 4: Single crochet in each stitch around (22 stitches)Round 5: *(Single crochet in next stitch, 2 single crochet in next stitch), rep from * around (33 stitches)Round 6: Single crochet in each stitch around (33 stitches)Round 7: *(Single crochet in next 2 stitches, 2 single crochet in next stitch), rep from * around (44 stitches)Round 8: Single crochet in each stitch around (44 stitches)Round 9: *(Single crochet in next 3 stitches, 2 single crochet in next stitch), rep from * around (55 stitches)Round 10: Single crochet in each stitch around (55 stitches)Round 11: *(Single crochet in next 4 stitches, 2 single crochet in next stitch), rep from * around (66 stitches)Round 12: Single crochet in ea stitch around (66 stitches)

If hat seems big enough at this point, skip to Round 16. If not, keep increasing.Round 13: *(Single crochet in next 5 stitches, 2 stitches in next stitch), rep from * around (77 stitches)Round 14: Single crochet in each around (77 stitches)

If hat seems big enough at this point, skip to Round 16. If not, increase one more time:Round 15: *(Single crochet in next 6 stitches, 2 single crochet in next stitch), rep from * around (88 stitches)

Round 16: Single crochet in each stitch around. Repeat Round 16 until hat measures approx. 8" to 9" from beginning. Fasten off and weave in ends.

IF NECESSARY TO MAKE HAT FIT MORE SNUGLY OVER EARS, WORK A DECREASE ROUND BEFORE FINISHING OFF, AS FOLLOWS:*(Single crochet in next 5 stitches, skip 1 stitch), rep from * around (don't worry if you have a few stitches left over). Work 1 or 2 rounds even, fasten off and weave in the ends.

First, "hotdog" fold the rectangle. Then fold it in half length wise where it looks much like a square. Make a seam all the way up the side. This creates the "body" of the hat. The circles are for the top.

Then, open up what you just sewed so that it looks like a hollow sleeve. Pin both circles on the top of that hollow sleeve and make a seam all the way around. THEN, flip your creation inside out and you have a hat!

(address for shipping to us is at the top of this page!)

NICU Nurture Program

What? We want to impact patients fighting serious illnesses of all ages. To impact patients and their families in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit setting, our volunteers create and we donate handmade hats, cocoons and octopuses packaged with handwritten letters of encouragement to facilities across the United States. The handmade hats and cocoons (hat + crocheted cocoon to place the baby in) keep the babies’ head warm while they are in the hospital and encourage the family. The crocheted octopus’ crocheted tentacles remind the baby of the umbilical cord in the womb and provide comfort.

Port PillowWhen cancer patients have their port inserted before beginning chemotherapy treatments, the skin around the port can become extremely sensitive and uncomfortable. A port pillow is placed underneath the patients seatbelt to make riding in a vehicle more comfortable.

Cut your fabric in squares that are 8 inches x 6 inches. Make a seam (or place a line of fabric glue) along 3 sides of your rectangle about a half inch into the fabric. If you're using fabric glue, make sure you are glueing the side of the fabric that you want on the outside. Let it dry (about an hour) and flip inside out (where the fabric is facing up). The stuff with poly-fill and fold the fourth side in and either make a seam or use your fabric glue to close the pillow. Take your ribbon and glue to your pillow in the center of the back side. The pillow can then be tied around the seat belt to provide comfort to a patient while riding in a vehicle.

Apron PatternAfter undergoing a mastectomy surgery, it is likely that patients will have drains for several weeks post-surgery. It is extremely helpful to have an apron to hold the drains in during this time (it makes life more convenient and comfortable after undergoing such a big change). To see the full pattern below click here!

All you need is:a piece of fabric that is 18" x 22"a package of Extra Wide Double Fold Bias Tape 1/2" wide or 3 yards if purchasing by the yard(make sure that it is the double fold so that it is wide enough!) sewing machine, need and thread OR fabric glue

First with the fabric laying face down you will fold over one side of the 18" edge 1/4" and iron (if you have a serger you can just serge this edge and go to the next step). Fold over another 1/4" and iron. Sew down the edge of the fold that you just made.

You will then fold down the unsewn edge to make an 8" fold. Then bring the sewn edge up 5 " and pin in place.

At this point if you have a serger you can just serge the edges if not just sew with a straight seam. Then mark the middle of the pocket and sew a straight stitch down the center to make two pockets.

Now open up the bias tape. You will cut two pieces that are 8 1/2" long. That will leave you with a piece that is 92" long for the tie. Bias tape has a wide and a short side, I tried to take a picture but it didn't turn out. Put the widest part of the fold on the back side of the apron and the shortest side on the front. This way when you sew down the front you know for sure that you are catching the back side of the bias tape. Pin the 8 1/2" pieces to each end of the apron leaving the overhang at the bottom of the apron.

You will fold the bottom of the bias tape to the inside and then fold the edge back over, this will make for a cleaner edge. Bias tape will not ravel so you can leave it if you wish to. Then just sew down the edge.

Next you will do the same thing with the remaining part of the bias tape along the top edge of the apron. Find the center of the bias tape and match it to the center of the apron and start pinning. Fold over the end of the bias tape like you did for the edges and start sewing at one end and sew all the way to the end of the tie.

That's it! I left the ties really long! The woman that will get the apron can cut to the length that works best for them!

Give a Box Get a Box Program

What? We want to invest in our volunteers who individually contribute hats and letters on a regular basis. When a volunteer ships us hats or letters in the mail, as a gift we pack up the same box they sent with the necessary supplies needed to continue their involvement with 818 Ministries (yarn, stationary, etc.)​Why? We would not be able to impact patients without volunteers who unselfishly give of their time and talent to make hats and write letters. As a small thank you, we want to encourage them and help them continue to serve alongside us.